Signal control apparatus



June 27, 1944. J w HQLZMANN 2,352,543

S IGNAL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR f Mum/v #04 Z/m/v/M ATTORNEY June 1944. J. w. HOLZMANN SIGNAL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III/111A INVENTOR f Way/m #04 z/m/v/v BY WM;

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ORNEY Patented June 27, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL CONTROL APPARATUS John William Holzmann, New York, N. Y., as-

signor to Edwards and Company, Inc., Norwalk, Conn., a corporation of New York Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,057

1 Claim.

' To better understand certain features of this invention, let it be assumed, for purposes of illustration, that four signaling devices are to be actuated in a certain desired sequence and that these devices comprise so-called gongs or chimes in a form preferably of tubes to be set into soundpensive'apparatus for effecting actuation of electrical signaling devices in the desired sequence. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character in which the individual parts are of simple and inexpensive construction, are capable of simple and speedy assembly, and are constructed to provide an assembly of improved construction and action. Another object is to provide a motor-driven signal-control mechanism in which control of the motor and also actuation of the devices in the desired sequence may be achieved in a simple, eiilcient and reliable manner as by coacting structural elements capable of inexpensive manufacture and facility of assembly. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character in which the electrical circuit arrangements are simplified and may be inexpensively achieved in practice. Another object is to provide a compact, switching mechanism for the control, in desired sequence, of a number of devices, such as audible signaling devices, and for the control of the motor circuit itself. Another object is to provide a swinging mechanism of the just stated character that will lend itself to quantity manufacture and that will have improved, smoother, and quiet operation. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed ont hereinafter.

inexpensive and simple motor-actuated The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective of certain of the parts of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembled motordriven switching and control mechanism, with the circuit connections and signaling devices indicated diagrammatically,

Figure 3 is an elevation on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of'the d a mgs.

emitting vibration. In Figure 2 four such chime tubes are shown diagrammatically and indicated by the reference characters G, D, C, E, the latter designations corresponding to the notes which these tubes respectively sound when vibrated. Preferably, they are set into vibration by suitably electrically actuated means, such as electro-magnets or solenoids having strikers for striking the tubes. In the illustrative and preferred form chime tube G has associated with it a solenoid l0 having a winding II and a plunger striker I2, normally spring-retracted by the spring l3. A generally similar solenoid I4 is provided for the chime tube D, having a winding I5 and a plunger striker I6 normally retracted by the spring 11, To illustrate possible other forms of striking means, chime tubes C and E may be arranged in spaced relation with a solenoid structure Ill therebetween, having a winding 20 and a double-headed plunger striker 2|, normally spring-retracted or biassed by spring 22 toward the tube C but yieldingly held against contact with the tube C by a small compressible spring 23.

Thus, if winding II or winding I5 is energized more or less momentarily, plunger striker I2 or I6, as the case may be, is quickly impacted against its associated tube, being promptly retracted by spring I3 in the one case and spring I! in the other. Energization of winding 25! of the structure I9, more or less momentarily, causes the plunger striker Al to be impacted toward the right against the tube E, the restoring spring 2.2 thereupon impacting it, against chime tube C, the

two tubes being thus struck in relatively quick sequences. However, by maintaining the energization of winding 2.0 for such time interval as may be desired, the time-spacing between the sounding of the notes E and C may be corresponding changed.

Thus, by making and breaking the circuits of windings II and I5 and by making, holding and then breaking the circuit of winding 20, in desired sequence and with appropriate time intervals interposed, a sequence of signal actuations or note soundings, including therein the sequence EC may be achieved, and for purposes of illustration let it be assumed that for a. single cycle the sequence E--C-D--G-GD-E-C is to be sounded on the tubes G, D, E and C.

To effect such an illustrative sequence and to carry out the various objects of this invention, there is provided a switching mechanism and control therefor which preferably is assembled to a base plate 25, preferably made of an insulating material, such as Bakelite, and conveniently and preferably the sounding elements G, D, C and E are suspended from or supported by the plate 25 by any suitable means (not shown). Plate 25 is provided in any suitable way, as by molding or drilling, with suitable holes, including holes 26 for securing the plate 25 to a suitable support or frame (not shown), and a relatively large generally centrally positioned hole 21 through which is to project the shaft 28 of an electric motor unit, generally indicated by the reference character 29, of any suitable construction but preferably comprising a housing or casing part 33, preferably of sheet metal, for accommodating the motor, which may be of any suitable construction, and a housing or casing part 3| for accommodating suitable speed-reducing gearing and shafting, which may be of any suitable construction and arrangement and is not shown in the drawings; the casing structure preferably has a flat plate member 32 closing off the gear casing 3| and provided with laterally projecting apertured cars 33, illustratively two in number, so that the motor structure 29, with its shaft 28 projecting upwardly through the hole 21 in plate 25, rests flatwise against the under face of plate 25 to which it is secured by screw 34 (Figures 2 and 3) that extend through the ears 33 and are threaded in suitably threaded holes 35 in the plate 25.

Resting fiatwise against the upper face of plate 25 is a thin metal contact disk 31 provided with a central aperture 38 materially larger than the shaft 23 of the motor structure, and disk 31 is secured to the plate 25 in a position coaxial with the motor shaft 28, in a suitable way, preferably by eyelets 40 (Figure 2) illustratively three in number, disk 31 and plate 25 being provided with suitably distributed and respectively registering holes 4| and 42 to accommodate the eyelets 40.

Contact disk 31 is cut away, preferably adjacent its periphery, to provide a gap, as at 43, and the arcuate extent of gap 43 may be on the order of or Disk member 3! may be made of relatively light sheet metal, preferably brass, and it will be seen that its conformation is a simple one and that it may be readily and inexpensively stamped. By suitably distributing the eyelets 40, disk member 31 becomes well and substantially uniformly backed up by the comparatively heavy plate 25. r

Grouped about the disk member 31 and arranged concentrically with the hole 21 (see Figure 1) are a number of apertures-45 preferably arranged along a circle of greater radius than the radius of disk 31 and preferably equidistantly spaced in a peripheral direction; these may be molded or drilled in the supporting plate and are to receive combined connector and contact elements which, according to the results desired to be achieved, may take several forms. Thus, they may take the form of headed studs, like the member 46 shown in Figure 1, having a shank 45 that is press-fitted or force-fitted into an aperture 45 from the upper side of plate 25, and which has a nicely rounded over head 46 which is thus brought with its under face flush against the upper face of plate 25, thus exposing its rounded head above the face of plate 25, while its shank 45 is of a length to project beyond the under face of plate 25 where it is available to have secured thereto th stripped portion of an insulated conductor 41 (see Figure 3) preferably as by solder 45, the soldered anchorage thus also resisting upward displacement of the member 45.

Or the contact connector element may take a form like that shown at 5B in Figure 1, being made up of suitably heavy wire stock to provide two spaced parallel shanks 53 and 50 receivable as by a pressor force-fit respectively into any two successive holes 45 in the plate 25, either or both of the shanks or arms projecting beyond the under face of plate and being thus made available to have conductors anchored thereto, such as the conductor 5|, soldered thereto as at {32, the soldered anchorage aiding the press-fit of the parts in holding the member 50 against upward movement, and thus holding its horizontal or contact portion 55 f'latwise against the upper face of plate 25.

Where the above illustrative sequence of notes is to be sounded on the chime elements G, D, C and E, and to illustrate further the flexibility of arrangement possible, as, for example, where it is de'ircd to interpose a rest of one beat midway in the sequence, elements 45 and 50 may be assembled to the apertures 45 in the plate 25 in the manner shown in Figure 2, where an element 53 like member 50 is inserted in two of the holes s substantially diametrically opposed to the gap 43 in the contact disk 31; thence, in clockwise direction, the next two holes have inserted in them elements 54 and 55 like the member 46 of Figure 1, the next hole 45 is left blank, the next wo holes have inserted in them elements 56 and 5'! like the member 45, and the next two holes have inserted in them an element 58 like the member 50 of Figure 1.

On the under side of the plate 25, elements 55 and 56 are electrically connected together by a jumper conductor 59, elements 54 and, 51 are connected together by a conductor 60, and elements 53 and 58 are connected together by a conductor 5!, the connections being made preferably by soldering, as above-described.

The motor shaft 28, projecting above the plate 25 then has secured to it a contactcr-carrying member 53 preferably provided with a substantial hub 84 to receive a set screw 65 to take against a flattened part 2B (see Figure l) of the shaft 28, thus to secure member 53 (lependably to the shaft 28 and against rotation relative thereto.

Member 63is shaped as shown in Figures 2 a d being preferably in the form of a stamping having the hub 64 force-fitted to it or expanded into a suitable aperture. Its two arms [53 and 63* have secured thereto spring contactor elements 56 and 61, as by screws 58. Members 56 and 6'! are preferably of identical construction, being substantially U-shaped, as appears better from Figure 3, being preferably relatively longand of relatively large radius of curvature, thus to give good play to the inherent springiness of t e metal, such as phosphor bronze, of whi h these members are preferably made. Each of them has a flange T5 at the end of its upper arm, the latter resting upon the upper face of the carrier member 63 and the flange Ill taking over the side edge thereof, so that, when the screws 68 are tightened up, rotary displacement of the contactor members about the axis of their respecassasac tive screws does not take place. A coil spring 62, about shaft 28 and underneath the hub 64, holds shaft 28 uppermost against end play.

The lower arms of members 66 and 61 are bent, as at "H. Member 66 is secured to member 63 at the same radius of the latter as the radius of the are along which the holes 45 are positioned and hence upon rotary movement under the drive of the motor driven shaft 28, in clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 2, the bent contact portion 11 of contactor 66 sweeps successively into and out of engagement with the contact element; carried in the holes 45.

Contactor 61 is mounted on member 63 at a lesser radius, and, as shown in Figure 2, it is rosltioned so that its bent contact ,portion 1|, if the member 63 rotates, moves in a circle, a small portion of which falls in the gap or cut away portion 43 of the contact disk 31 and the remainder falls in the uncut portion of the disk 31.

A possible or illustrative circuit arrangement is shown in Figure 2 where a suitable source of energy, such as a transformer 13, is connected by conductors 14 and 15 through a switch, such as a push button switch 16, to the winding 11 of the motor structure 29, so that closure of switch 16 energizes the motor 11 and starts the rotation of shaft 26 and contactor-carrying member 63; the latter has a normal or at rest position, as

hown in Figure 2, with contactor 61 having its contact part 1| resting in the gap 43 and hence against the insulating plate 25, while contactor 66 has its contact portion 1| resting against the insulating plate just to the right of the contact element 53, as seen in Figures 2 and 3.

A relatively small initial rotation rides the contactor 61 out of the gap 43 and onto the contact plate 31. The latter, being mounted upon the insulating plate 25 and being out of contact with the shaft 28. is thus electrically isolated from other parts and by conductor 16 is connected to one side of the transformer 13, the other side of the latter being grounded to the motor casing structure as at 80 (Figure 2), through the conductor 15. Accordingly, if the switch 16 is closed only for a short interval of time, as is usually the case, being usually in the form of a spring-opposed push button switch, the closure of the latter is sufficient to start the motor and to effect movement of the contactor 61 out of the insulating gap 43 and onto the contactor plate 31, thus establishing a motor energizing circuit that extends from one side of the transformer 13, thence conductor 19, contact plate 31, contactor 61, carrier member 63, motor shaft 28, through the latter to the motor casing, ground connection 80. motor winding 11, and by way of conductor 14 back to the other side of the transformer 13. his circuit is maintained until interrupted by the coaction between contactor 61 and contact plate 31, and in the illustrative embodiment that interruption with consequent halting of the motor and of the parts driven by it occurs when contactors 61 completes a sweep in clockwise direction of substantially 360. whence the contact portion. 11 of contactor 6'! moves off of the plate 31 and into the gap 63, to rest against the insulating mounting plate 25.

Durin tha rote rv movement or traverse, contactor 66 is first br u ht into enga ement with contact element 53, thus closin a circuit throu h windin 26 of the electroma netic actuator 19. causing a striking of the chime element E and. the sounding of E note.

This energizing circuit extends from one side of transformer 1'3, conductor 19, contact plate 31, contactor 61, carrier member 63, contactor 66, contact element 53, conductor 82, winding 26, and by conductor 84 back to the other side of the source 13.

This circuit is held closed for the interval of time that it takes contactor 66 to travel the length of contact element 53, and during that time plunger striker 2| is held toward the right in Figure 2,'but out of contact with the sounding element E, due to the action of the spring 22 which is held somewhat compressed. When contactor 66 rides off of element 53, winding 20 is deenergized, the energy stored in the compressed spring 22 is released, and plunger striker 2| is impacted to the left to strike element C, sounding its C note, short spring 23 withdrawing and holding the striker out of contact with element G;

Then ensues a time interval until contactor 66 engages contact element 54 and thatbeing a short contact, the corresponding circuit is closed and promptly broken, thus to actuate the striker l 6 to impact the sounding element D to sound its D note, the energization being effected by a circuit extending from one side of transformer r conductor 19, plate 31, contactor 61, member 63,

contactor 66, contact element 55, conductor 86, winding I l, and by conductor 84 back to the other side of the source.

With the spacing and lengths of contact elements, therefore, the notes E, C, D and G are sounded at equally spaced intervals; if now it is desired to introduce a rest or time interval, the next hole 45 (see Figure 2) may be left blank so that two time intervals elapse in the travel of contactor 66 from contact element 55 to contact element 56, thus effecting a striking of element G, then after another time interval when contact element 51 is engaged, soundingelement D is struck to sound its D note, then after another time interval contactor 66 engages the long contact element 58 and upon initial engagement energization of winding 20 is effected to strike sounding element E to sound its E note and upon deenergization of winding 20, after the lapse of another time interval and hence when contactor 66 moves off of contact element 58, sounding element C is struck to sound its C note, the respective energizing circuits being now clear from Figure 2 and from what has been said above. Thus, a sequence of notes E, C, D, G, G, D, E, C, with a rest interval between the two G notes may be sounded. The motor continues to drive contactor-carrying member 63 until contact portion H of contactor 61 reaches and enters the gap 43 in the contact plate 31, thus interrupting the motor-energizing circuit. Thereafter the above illustrative sequence may be repeated upon actuation of the switch 16.

The apparatus is inexpensive in construction, yet certain of its structural features coact to achieve functionally improved actions and results. Thus, the bends in the long contactor elements 5!] (see Figure 1) and the rounded-over heads 46 of the elements 46 provide what are in effect cam-shaped projections or faces onto and off which the resiliently acting contact portion II (Figures 2 and 3) of the contactor 66 ride noiselessly, without wear, and without interposing substantial mechanical resistance to the drive by the motor. The contact disk 31 may be made of very thin sheet metal and its coaction with the contact portion ll of the contactor 61, at the edges of the gap 43, may proceed substantially noiselessly, smoothly and without abrupt resistance to drive. Thus, particularly where the signal actuation is in the form of audible musical notes, the noisiness of certain prior constructions with resultant annoyance and interference with the sound eiiects, is avoided.

Also, the apparatus facilitates assembly and manufacture and is nevertheless of substantial range 01 flexibility in that, for example, the spaced holes 45 (Figures 1 and 2) may receive interchangeably and in any desired sequential relationship both short and long contact elements or only short ones or only long ones, according to the ultimate result desired, while also rest intervals may be easily interposed where they may be desired in any sequence. It will also be noted that desirable compactness of construction may be achieved.

- Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention an apparatus in which the various objects heretofore noted, together with many practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A control apparatus for making and breaking electrical circuits, in desired sequence and in desired time intervals, comprising a plate of insulating material having a plurality of spaced apertures arranged in an are, a plurality of contact elements comprising at least one element having a shank for reception into an aperture and having a head exposed at one face or said plate and atleast one other element that has two spaced shanks joined by an elongated part, said two shanks being received in two of said apertures for thereby exposing said part at said face of said plate and for thereby aligning said elongated part along said are, said shanks having means for electrically connecting thereto the conductors of circuit connections to contact elements, an arm having means mounting it for rotation in a plate spaced from said face of said plate and about the axis of said are, said arm having a U-shaped sheet metal contactor with means securing one arm of said contactor to said rotary arm and for thereby holding the other arm of said contactor in position to successively engage the head and elongated part of said contact elements, and means for giving saicl rotary arm rotary movement about said axis.

JOHN WILLIAM HOLZMANN. 

